1. Government Players and Processes TC 310 May 13, 2008

2. Federalism Definition  Versus Unitary and Confederation  Types of Powers  Reserved, granted, concurrent Approaches  Dual  Cooperative Why do we care?

3. Congress Bicameral Political Body Create laws, not policy 1996 Telecom Act vs. Computer III Bills and Resolutions Process Introduction Committee Full House or Senate Presentation to Full Adjustments President

4. Influencing Congress Lobbys & PACs: “Professional” Citizens Citizens Private contact Public Hearings http://thomas.loc.gov/

5. Executive Branch Headed by President Cabinet Independent Agencies  DoJ  FTC  FCC  DHS

6. DoJ Attorney General created 1789 DoJ works under Attorney General Agency Structure  Antitrust Division Sherman Anti-Trust Act  Monopoly busting Clayton Act  Mergers & acquisitions  Tying arrangements

7. FTC Consumer Protection is primary goal Internally audited by the office of the Inspector General. Why important for Telecommunications?  Rates  Competition  Mergers

8. DHS Seeks out vulnerabilities in Nation's security Telecommunication Network is a vital part of security  Also wiretapping  Infrastructure  Internet

9. Influencing the Executive Branch Elections Agencies are robust, rarely open to public  Hearings  Petitioning

10. Judicial System Specialized Courts (optional)‏ District Courts  Mandatory Review Court of Appeals  Mandatory Review U.S. Supreme Court  Writ of certiorari  Issues of Law

11. District and Appeal Courts District  Trial court for federal system  94 total districts Lansing is Michigan Western District, Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals  Districts collapse into 12 Circuits  Must hear all appeals

12. State Courts Generally function in a similar manner  Multi-leveled  Court of last resort If larger issue at stake, may enter the federal court system

13. U.S. Supreme Court Made up of Nine Justices/ 1 Chief Justice  Appointed by President Interested only in points of law. What does this mean? Judicial Review  Marbury v. Madison (1803)‏

14. Supreme Court Procedure Court is petitioned  Petitioner v. Respondent Accept when: Resolve interpretation of federal law Correct egregious mishandlings Resolve federal law question, application in lower court Briefs Filed Oral Arguments Decision by majority.

15. Important to Telecom? Policies and Laws regarding jurisdiction frequently find way to Supreme Court Balance over Executive Agencies

16. States Parallel structure to federal government frequently Are given jurisdiction:  PUCs  Local franchising  State courts Telecommunication jurisdiction increasingly heading towards feds.

17. Conclusion Why is knowing agencies, procedures important?  How to influence process  How influence works  Who has power in what areas